Design Requests - NSOC WIGE IFV

[maxcarrion]

The Navy Special Operation Command is seeking design proposals for a WIGE Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IS Tech, any era or level).  This unit will be deployed from vehicle bays on a dropship or small craft, likely in flight or low orbit to deploy and support NSOC battle armour units in covert military raids/strikes. 

NSOC is making the assumption that the standard IFV will fit in a small vehicle bay (so 50T or less) and will carry either 5 medium or 10 PA(L) suits, so will require a 5T infantry compartment.  Other designs will be considered (such as a large vehicle that carries 10T of infantry). 

Performance is to be prioritised over cost
NSOC will operate with speed and stealth wherever possible and engagements are expected to be quick, fierce and overwhelming followed by an escape before significant enemy units can reinforce.
The WIGE IFV will be supporting a Battle Armour force - they will be the primary armour and manoeuvre element

Further information on NSOC can be found here https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63785.0

[Retry]

Code: [Select]

Shadow Drake SDR-1A
Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Wing in Ground Effect
Power Plant: 260 XL
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Vehicular Stealth
Armament:
     4 Rocket Launcher 10
     4 MML 3
Manufacturer: Shenlong Industries
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 15,302,000 C-bills
Overview
The Shadow Drake is an entry for the NSOC IFV WiGE Design Challenge.

The Shadow Drake was designed from the ground up to meet the very specific requirements of their potential customer
 known as the Navy Special Operations Command. No expenses were saved in the design of the Shadow Drake: the 260
 XL powerplant is the most expensive component and propels the vehicle to a hefty 130 km/hr. An advanced electronics
 suite consisting of full-coverage stealth armor (based upon the infamous Null Signature System) coupled with the
powerful Angel ECM Suite minimizes the sensor profile of the WiGE and its standard infantry complement of 5 medium-
sized Battle Armor troops. The protection for the craft is also rather generous for a vehicle of its type, capable of taking a
 Heavy Gauss shell from any location except the rear during testing.

The armament is optimized to be lightweight and flexible. The main array is a twelve-pack of MMLs on top of the turret
which is compatible with LRMs and SRMs of all sorts of ammunition types, including but not limited to: Smoke, Acid,
Inferno, Mine-Clearance, Swarm, Thunder and Tandem-Charged. In addition, two considerably lower-tech single-shot
rocket racks are attached to the side of the turret frame to provide extra firepower against larger, slower targets-of-
opportunity like Assault 'Mechs. The rocket system can be fired immediately by a secondary button on the side of the
gunner's turret joystick, while the main MML system can select between one of four ammunition bays with a switch on
top and activate them via trigger. Since the Shadow Drake is expected to only be used primarily in brief, rapid
confrontations, the fact that a good chunk of its alpha-strike firepower is locked in a one-shot weapon is not considered
 to be a significant disadvantage.

Shenlong Industries is willing to offer an upgrade package which features a clan-spec XL engine, clan-spec CASE,
Omnification and a slight revision to the protection scheme, if one is willing to not ask too many questions.

Capabilities
Low Sensor Observability, Low-altitude "Hot-Deployment" capable, Designed to carry and provide flexible fire support for a 5-man Medium BA squad in short engagements.

Type: Shadow Drake
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 930
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 5
Engine 260 XL 10.5
     Cruising MP: 8
     Flanking MP: 12
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 2.5
Lift Equipment: 5
Power Amplifier: 0
Turret: 1
Armor Factor (Vehicular Stealth): 112 7
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 5 25
R/L Side 5/5 25/25
Rear 5 15
Turret 5 22
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
MML 3 SRM Ammo (66) Body 2 2
MML 3 LRM Ammo (80) Body 2 2
Angel ECM Suite Body 2 2
4 MML 3s Turret 8 6
4 Rocket Launcher 10s Turret 4 2
Infantry Body 1 5

[maxcarrion]

I'm a little torn on this one.  In my head I was imagining something with a PPC or a Plasma Rifle or something similar, more of a fast attack vehicle.  The stealth armour definitely fits a covert ops command insertion vehicle but it's a hammer blow to the vehicles firepower.  I like the speed, the armour, the MMLs are all good choices and I'm not sure the stealth is the wrong choice at all, but the firepower turns out a bit anaemic after those rockets have gone off. 

I guess if you're stealthy enough you don't need all that firepower and if the BA is carrying TAG equipment then semi guided LRMs can really multiply the BA as a force without exposing the IFV.  The combined speed, stealth, ecm and armour will certainly make them impressively difficult to bring down even with LB-X rounds

[maxcarrion]

I think having had a little play around on SAW I'm leaning towards sticking with the stealth armour but slowing it down just 1 notch to 120kph

This will free up 3.5T which can be used to increase the firepower of the Shadow Drake a little (I'm thinking 6 MML3 in the turret, 3 RL10 front mounted and 5T of ammo - bringing us up to 18 tubes)

This will also allow a Assault Suit version on the same chassis with the RL10 and additional weapons removed (keeping the 4 MML3 and 4T of ammo) to increase the Infantry Bay to 10T to carry the assault suits

And an Arrow IV version which can fit a turreted A4 launcher and up to 5T of ammo while keeping the same chassis/engine/armour

The other variants would not have worked well without the extra payload freed up by the engine decrease

[Sabelkatten]

Sounds like you should go for an omni right away. 7/11 movement, 7 tons stealth armor, 1.5 ton turret, CASE and ECM leaves 20 tons pod space if I got the math right.

[maxcarrion]

Normally I hate Omni as being an easy answer but I think this time it might be ok.  Something like

Code: [Select]

Shadow Drake SDR-1

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: WiGE OmniVehicle
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 16,621,875 C-Bills
Battle Value: 512

Power Plant:  210 Fusion XL Engine
Cruise Speed: 75.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 118.8 km/h
Armor:  Vehicle Stealth Armor
Armament:
    20.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      25 points                5.00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             210                       7.00
    Cruise MP:  7
    Flank MP:   11
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         2.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            5.00
Turret:                                                                    1.50
Armor:              Vehicle Stealth Armor        AV - 112                  7.00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     25       
                                          Left/Right   25/25       
                                              Turret     22       
                                                Rear     15       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 5
7g         0       0       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, AECM, ENE, TUR()


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Alpha (IFV)                                    Cost: 17,746,875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A                       BV2: 916

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Rocket Launcher 10s                        FR        6         2         1.00
6 MML-3s                                     T         12        6         9.00
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00
Infantry Compartment (5.0 tons)              BD        0         1         5.00
@MML-3 (LRM Semi-G) (120)                    BD        -         0         3.00
@MML-3 (SRM Inferno) (33)                    BD        -         0         1.00
@MML-3 (SRM) (33)                            BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 9
7g         3       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, AECM, TUR(3/2/2, SRM 2/2/1, LRM 2/2/1, IF 2/2/1), IF 1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Bravo (Heavy IFV)                              Cost: 17,296,875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A                       BV2: 744

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 MML-3s                                     T         8         4         6.00
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00
Infantry Compartment (10.0 tons)             BD        0         1        10.00
@MML-3 (LRM Semi-G) (80)                     BD        -         0         2.00
@MML-3 (SRM) (33)                            BD        -         0         1.00
@MML-3 (SRM Inferno) (33)                    BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 7
7g         2       2       1       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, AECM, TUR(2/2/1, SRM 2/1/1, LRM 2/1/1, IF 2/1/1), IF 1


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Charlie (A4)                                   Cost: 18,309,375
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A                       BV2: 1,198

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arrow IV Missile                             T         10        1        15.00
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00
@Arrow IV (Thunder) (5)                      BD        -         0         1.00
@Arrow IV (ADA) (5)                          BD        -         0         1.00
@Arrow IV (Homing) (5)                       BD        -         0         1.00
@Arrow IV (Inferno) (5)                      BD        -         0         1.00
@Arrow IV (Smoke) (5)                        BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 12
7g         2       0       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, ARTAIS, AECM, TUR(2/0/0)


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Delta (Recon)                                  Cost: 19,959,375
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A                       BV2: 814

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recon Camera                                 FR        0         1         0.50
(R) Remote Sensor Dispenser                  RR        0         1         0.50
TAG                                          T         0         1         1.00
2 Light AC/5s                                T         2         2        10.00
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00
Bloodhound Active Probe                      BD        0         1         2.00
Infantry Compartment (2.0 tons)              BD        0         1         2.00
@Light AC/5 (Flak) (20)                      BD        -         0         1.00
@LAC/5 (Precision) (10)                      BD        -         0         1.00
@Light AC/5 (20)                             BD        -         0         1.00
@LAC/5 (Flechette) (20)                      BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 8
7g         1       1       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, TAG, AECM, BH, RCN, TUR(1/1/0, AC 1/1/0), AC 1/1/0


================================================================================
Loadout Name: Echo (Fire Support)                            Cost: 18,046,875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-F-A                       BV2: 1,203

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Rocket Launcher 10s                        FR        6         2         1.00
2 LRM-15s                                    T         10        2        14.00
Angel ECM                                    BD        0         1         2.00
@LRM-15 (Semi-G) (16)                        BD        -         0         2.00
@LRM-15 (Smoke) (8)                          BD        -         0         1.00
@LRM-15 (Thunder) (8)                        BD        -         0         1.00
@LRM-15 (ARAD) (8)                           BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 12
7g         2       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, STL, AECM, TUR(1/2/2, LRM 1/2/2, IF 1/2/2), LRM 1/2/2, IF 2



[maxcarrion]

A foxtrot (cargo) variant with 18T of cargo space and 2 ERML in the turret can provide mission cargo support